Aviation Internships
Aviation internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working engineers and technicians, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings today cover Healthcare & Medical Services and Consulting & Professional Services, with Burns & McDonnell, Ardurra, and RS&H among the employers posting roles now.
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At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
In the role of Civil Engineering Intern - Aviation Summer 2027, we'll count on you to:
- Gain real-world experience on exciting projects
- Connect with recent college graduates and our company leaders through mentoring and young professionals programs
- Apply standard engineering techniques and procedures
- Perform assignments under the direct supervision of a professional or Project Manager
- Perform other duties as needed
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefer 2 years completed toward degree with 3.0+ GPA
- currently enrolled in a civil engineering or related engineering field
Demonstrated knowledge of software packages related to field of study/industry
- Preference given to local candidates
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate Engineering program
- Attention to detail
- Possess strong problem-solving and communication skills
- Basic Microsoft Office skills An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location
: United States-Pennsylvania-PittsburghIndustry
: AviationSchedule
: Full-timeEmployee Status
: TemporaryJob Posting
: Oct 30, 2026
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
In the role of Civil Engineering Intern - Aviation Summer 2027, we'll count on you to:
- Gain real-world experience on exciting projects
- Connect with recent college graduates and our company leaders through mentoring and young professionals programs
- Apply standard engineering techniques and procedures
- Perform assignments under the direct supervision of a professional or Project Manager
- Perform other duties as needed
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefer 2 years completed toward degree with 3.0+ GPA
- currently enrolled in a civil engineering or related engineering field
Demonstrated knowledge of software packages related to field of study/industry
- Preference given to local candidates
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate Engineering program
- Attention to detail
- Possess strong problem-solving and communication skills
- Basic Microsoft Office skills An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
Primary Location
: United States-Pennsylvania-PittsburghIndustry
: AviationSchedule
: Full-timeEmployee Status
: TemporaryJob Posting
: Oct 30, 2026Aviation Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- Burns & McDonnell20
- Ardurra10
- RS&H9
- Garmin5
- Jacobs5
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
Tips for Your Aviation Internship Search
Apply in fall for summer aviation internships
Large aerospace manufacturers, airlines, and defense contractors open summer cohort applications as early as August and close them before winter break. Smaller regional operators and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check listings consistently across the full year rather than waiting for a single recruitment season.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Aviation intern recruiters have limited work history to assess, so your portfolio does the heavy lifting. Document two or three complete projects showing the tools you used, CAD models, stress analysis reports, avionics simulations, or flight systems design files. Recruiters need something concrete to evaluate, and a linked or attached portfolio separates your application immediately.
Combine campus fairs with direct company applications
Career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet face to face. Your professors and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller, less-publicized cohorts alongside your campus activity widens the pool you reach.
Practice your technical screen out loud before applying
Aviation intern interviews often include a technical or engineering screen covering systems analysis, design reasoning, or applied mechanics depending on the role. Practice solving problems aloud and walking through your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you approach a problem as much as the final answer you reach.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Large aviation and aerospace employers run rotational or cohort internship programs specifically designed to train people new to the field. These programs recruit in the first application wave and fill fast. Identify which ones align with your degree and graduation timeline, then apply as soon as they open rather than waiting to see if other options materialize.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 45% of the aviation internships listed here. Decide what location and work arrangement you can commit to before you open any listing. Filter by work type and location first on Migrate Mate so you are comparing roles you can actually accept, not sorting through postings that don't fit your situation.
Aviation Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an aviation internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams at the intern level expect limited experience and want something concrete to assess. For aviation candidates, that artifact is a design portfolio, CAD files, or documented technical projects showing tools used and problems solved. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an aviation internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for aviation interns is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest in returning. Position for it by treating every assignment seriously without counting on a specific outcome.
When should I apply for aviation internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large aerospace and aviation employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before winter break. Smaller companies, regional operators, and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings consistently rather than waiting for a single season gives you the widest window.
Are aviation internships paid?
Most professional aviation internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, sector, and location, and ranges widely across commercial aviation, aerospace manufacturing, and government contractors. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing shows it so you can compare before you apply.
What should an aviation internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. List two or three complete, documented projects naming the tools used and the outcome, for aviation candidates, that means design or CAD portfolios, engineering analysis write-ups, or simulation and systems projects with files or reports you can share. Add relevant coursework, keep it to one page, and put the most technical evidence at the top.
Are there remote aviation internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 55% of the aviation internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts in areas like data analysis, systems engineering support, and software development fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a rotational engineering internship in aviation?
Rotational engineering internships place you across two or more teams or functional areas during a single internship cycle, exposing you to airframe systems, propulsion, avionics, or operations depending on the employer. These structured programs target students early in their degree and are designed to build generalist technical foundations. They recruit competitively and fill in the first application wave, so identify the programs that fit your school year and apply immediately when they open.
Can international students get aviation internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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